Guide
Things to do in Marrakech
All the places on this itinerary, by area.
Marrakech in 3 days
With three days you can see the medina without rushing, give one day to palaces and gardens and keep the third for a nearby trip or whatever you missed. The itinerary leaves slack every day and suggests alternatives; you don't need to book every part.
The plan in a few lines
- Day 1: the medina, the square and the souks, with no fixed route.
- Day 2: palaces in the morning and gardens or Gueliz in the afternoon.
- Day 3: a nearby trip or the city at your own pace.
- Each day has a free slot: use it to rest or for whatever you discover.
The days at a glance
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1: The medina without rushing |
|
| Day 2: Palaces and gardens |
|
| Day 3: A trip out or the city at your own pace |
|
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Day 1: the medina without rushing
A first day to get your bearings and understand how the medina works.
Morning
Get your bearings by the square
Start with the square and the Koutoubia: they're your reference point for getting around for the rest of the trip.
Places: Jemaa el-Fna square, Koutoubia Mosque
Afternoon
Souks and a break
Wander the souks without a fixed plan and finish in a garden inside the medina if you need some calm.
Places: Souks of the medina, Le Jardin Secret
Evening
The square at dusk
Go back to the square: its atmosphere is completely different from the morning.
Places: Jemaa el-Fna square
Leeway: Leave the afternoon open: getting lost is part of the first day.
Alternatives
If you arrive late
Settle for a stroll around the square and move the souks to the next morning.
Day 2: palaces and gardens
Monuments in the morning and a change of pace in the afternoon, outside the medina.
Morning
Palaces and monuments
Choose one or two in the same area so you're not crossing from one end to the other.
Places: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs
Afternoon
A garden and the modern district
Leave the medina and pair the garden with a stroll around Gueliz.
Places: Jardin Majorelle, Gueliz
Evening Optional
Free evening
Dinner with no fixed plan, or keep this slot for resting.
Leeway: Don't string together more than two ticketed visits in the same morning.
Alternatives
If you'd rather not leave the medina
Swap the afternoon for the madrasa and the Mellah.
If you want a break
Replace the free evening with a hammam.
Day 3: a nearby trip or the city at your own pace
A flexible day: choose depending on how day two went.
Whenever it suits you Optional
Option A: an afternoon outside the city
If you fancy the desert, Agafay fits into an afternoon or a night. Compare the formats before deciding.
Whenever it suits you Optional
Option B: whatever you missed
A large garden, another monument or going back to the souks at a slower pace.
Places: Menara Gardens, Ben Youssef Madrasa
Leeway: If you choose the trip out, don't plan anything important before or after it.
Alternatives
If you want a full-day trip
With three days it's possible, but it takes time from the city: compare options before deciding.
If your plans change
If you only have two days
Keep days 1 and 2 and save the trip out for another visit.
If you have more days
Add a full-day trip without taking time away from the medina.
If you're travelling with little energy
Keep one main visit a day and turn the rest into free time.
Practical information
- Getting from the airport
- Marrakech-Menara airport is less than 5 km in a straight line from Jemaa el-Fna square. If you take a taxi, agree the fare before you get in or check that it uses the meter.
- Opening hours for the day 2 monuments
- The Jardin Majorelle opens every day from 8:00 to 18:30 (last entry at 18:00) and tickets are sold only on its official website. We haven't found official opening hours published online for the Bahia Palace or the Saadian Tombs: check at the ticket office.
- Getting between the medina and Gueliz
- It's just over 2 km in a straight line from Jemaa el-Fna square to the Jardin Majorelle: you can walk or take a taxi. In taxis, agree the fare before you get in or check that they use the meter.
Keep planning
Related guides
Escape
Agafay Desert
How to choose between dinner, an activity or a night.
A break
Hammam in Marrakech
What to look at before choosing.